Effect of deworming vs Iron-Folic acid supplementation plus deworming on growth, hemoglobin level, and physical work capacity of schoolchildren

Abstract

The effect of deworming vs deworming and weekly Iron-Folic acid (IFA) on growth, hemoglobin level, and physical work capacity of children was studied. Children from three rural schools studying from 4th to 7th standard were selected. One set of school children were given deworming tablet (400 mg albendezole) once in six months while the second school children received deworming tablet along with weekly dose of Iron Folic acid Tablet (60 mg of elemental iron and 0.5 mg folic acid). Anthropometric measurements, hemoglobin, and physical work capacity was estimated. No significant change was noticed in the prevalence of malnutrition or physical work capacity of the children. As compared to only deworming, IFA + Deworming showed 17.3% increase in the hemoglobin levels (P<0.001). Thus weekly IFA along with deworming has shown beneficial effect on the hemoglobin levels of the children.

Deworming and adjuvant interventions for improving the developmental health and well‐being of children in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a systematic review and network meta‐analysis

“…For six comparisons which included iron or praziquantel, statistically significant effect sizes of 0.27 to 0.93 g/dL were found in four studies (Olds 1999, Taylor 2001, Bhoite 2012, Nga 2009,). These four studies also measured anthropometric outcomes, and found no effect of deworming on anthropometric outcomes (Olds 1999, Taylor 2001, Bhoite 2012 and Nga 2009).…”

“…BMI was reported by five studies (Awasthi 2013, Bhoite 2012, Bobonis 2006, Monse 2013, Rozelle 2015). Mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) was reported by 11 studies (Dossa 2001, Nga 2009, Rousham 1994, Stephenson 1989, Stephenson 1993A, Greenberg 1981, Hadju 1997, Kloetzel 1982, Donnen 1998, Pust 1985, Watkins 1996).…”

“…Seven studies reported proportion of children stunted at the end of study (Bhoite 2012; Rozelle 2015; Awasthi 2000; Awasthi 2001; Stoltzfus 2001; Thi Le 2007; Jinabhai 2001A).…”

“…We judged that 12 of these cluster RCTs had analysed data appropriately considering the cluster allocation, using methods described in Additional Table 11. We used the variance inflation factor method described in the Cochrane Handbook to adjust growth and haemoglobin outcomes in three cluster RCTs (Hall 2006, Kruger 1996, Bhoite 2012) and one controlled before‐after study (Pust 1985). For Hall 2006, we calculated the ICC for weight and height from their raw dataset, which waskindly provided to us by Dr. Don Bundy (ICC for weight= 0.021, ICC for height= 0.015).…”

“…Network meta‐analysis structure: The network meta‐analysis for height or height gain had 25 studies (Awasthi 2000; Awasthi 2001; Awasthi 2008; Jinabhai 2001A; Ndibazza 2012; Watkins 1996; Garg 2002; Ostwald 1984; Hall 2006; Kruger 1996, Miguel 2004; Wiria 2013; Rozelle 2015; Goto 2009; Bhoite 2012; Donnen 1998; Stoltzfus 1997; Stephenson 1993; Nga 2011; Dossa 2001; Gupta 1982; Olds 1999; Hadju 1997) (Figure 9). As with weight, Miguel 2004 was entered as two separate studies because we received data from authors to identify which schools had prevalence of schistosomiasis >30 per cent and thus received praziquantel, thus it was entered as Albendazole twice per year vs. control and Albendazole+Praziquantel vs. control.…”